Improvement in car-couplings



' L. VOTE.

Car-Coupling.

N0. 159,128. Patentedlan. 26,1875.

UNITED STATES PATENT @Tritono LEVIS VOTE, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN, CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 159,128, dated January 26, 1875; application filed January 2, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS VOTE, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Draw-Bars or Couplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of my specication, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a coupler' to support the pin; secondly, in combining` with the draw-head a coupling-pin having a collar of greater diameter than the hole in the draw-head through which it works, the pin being secured by a key-piece and sliding facep ate.

I will novr proceed to describe my invention with reference to the drawing, in which- A represents the draw-head of wrought-iron or other suitable material bent in the usual manner to form the upper and lower plates, and thickened at the points a a, either by staving up or otherwise, so as to form dovetailed ends, which fit into corresponding recesses in the sliding face-plate. B indicates a sliding trigger having a projection, b, which, in cer` tain positions of the trigger, takes under and supports the coupling-pin, and b is a curved rear projection of the trigger, which forms at times a seat for the inner end of the extra link. This trigger is secured to the draw-head by an inclined key, b2, so that the Weight of the trigger will cause it to slide forward at such times as it is not forced back by the thrust of the link. C indicates the couplingpin, which Works through a slot in the upper plate of the draw-head, and it is provided with a collar, c, of greater diameter than the slot, the slot being closed after the pin is introduced by means of a sliding or key piece, c', which closes a portion of the slot, reducing it to such a size that the pin G cannot escape or be withdrawn Without rst removing the key-piece. D is a face-plate, the front of which is of the usual form, but the back has a couple of dovetailed recesses d d to receive the dovetailed ends a a of the draw-head A. It may be recessed or hollowed out at d to seat the forward bend of the extra link E, and at d2 to permit the passage of the head of the pin C, in which case both the extra link and the head of the coupling-pin will assist in locking the face-plate, though for this purpose a special key is provided, as shown at d3, or passing through D and A at any convenient point. E is an extra link, generally carried in draw-heads. It surrounds the trigger, and is, therefore, secured so as not to become detached or lost, and when used as a couplinglink it will draw against the trigger B, the inner end resting in the curved seat b. When not in use the position of the link is determined by a stop, c, on the under plate of the draw-head, and is out of the way. The several parts are put together by placing the extra link and trigger in position, and securin g them by the inclined key b2 passing through the trigger, after which the coupling-pin is passed into the slot in the upper plate of the draw-head, the key or Wedge piece c inserted,.

the face-plate slidden into position in the dovetailed ends of the draw-head A, and the whole secured by a suitable pin or key.

The operation of the devices is as follows: rlhe coupling-pin being raised the trigger will ride forward on the incline by its own weight, and the projectionb will take"- under the coupling-pin, holding it up until such a time as the trigger is struck by the entering link, When the trigger Will ride back up the incline, and the projection b, being withdrawn, releases the coupling-pin, which falls, making an automatic coupling.

Among the advantages of my improved coupling are: that old draw-heads may be readily changed to automatic couplings; no springs or parts liable to get out of order are employed; the link is retained; the parts are not liable to be detached or lost 5 and the Whole construction is simple and effective.

Having thus described my invention, what I ela-im, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with the drew-head and the sliding trigger to move upon am inclined key, the coupling-pin provided with a collar, c, substantially as and for the purpose specied.

2. In combination with a. draw-head having a coup1ing-pin,the collar of Which is of greater diameter than the hole in the draw-head through which it Works, the key-piece, and sliding face-plate, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof, I, the said LEWIS VOTE, have hereunto set my hand.

LEWIS VOTE. Witnesses:

F. W. RITTER, Jr., T. B. KEER. 

